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Tough Time Awaits Okada, Keke Riders in Lagos
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State government has said it would begin to clampdown of riders of motorcycle fondly called Okada, and tricycle otherwise known as Keke Marwa, who violate traffic laws of the state.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement that the ongoing enforcement of traffic laws will be stepped up across the State to check motorcyclists and motorists violating the laws.
The violation of traffic laws by commercial motorcyclists was unacceptable, thereby necessitating the enforcement of the State Traffic Law 2018 to pave the way for the implementation of the present administration’s transportation project, Mr Omotoso said.
He recalled that the alarming negative statistics resulting from motorcycle accidents and the compelling need to enhance safety led to the introduction of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law 2012, which was reviewed in 2018.
Mr Omotoso emphasised that the law makes the use of safety helmets by riders and passengers of motorcycles compulsory, obedience of traffic lights and signage mandatory and the conveyance of more than a passenger, expectant women, adults with babies, as well as children of school age forbidden, noting that “their operations were restricted on 475 roads, including highways and bridges.”
“We cannot fold our arms and watch them disrupt the peace of the State. Over 1500 accidents involving tricycles were reported across the State from 2015 till 2019 while over 70 died and 250 were injured,” the Commissioner added.
He claimed that 30 robbery cases involving motorcycles were reported in 2019, out of which 20 were foiled by the police, who arrested 25 suspects and recovered 48 arms and ammunition.
While reeling out statistics from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr Omotoso stated that no fewer than 619 people were killed or seriously injured in motorcycle accidents within 2015 and 2016, noting that a police report released during the same period indicated that of the 30 armed robbery cases recorded between July and September, commercial motorcycle riders perpetrated 22.
“Over 200 cases of motorcycle accidents have been recorded monthly at health facilities across the State in the last three years,” he declared.
Bemoaning the era of indecency exhibited by motorcycle and tricycle riders, the Commissioner stated that their consistent and brazen disregard for the law, in addition to drug abuse by many should be a matter of concern for Lagosians.
“Okada is being used to escape after robberies. Besides, the influx into the State of many riders without traceable addresses and valid means of identification, in spite of the provision for a rider’s permit, remains a huge security and safety threat to residents,” the Commissioner said.
He asserted that, “Aside from the sheer size of the industry, the level of indiscipline, security concerns and, particularly, the level of fatalities being recorded daily, demand appropriate and very serious sanctions. The government, in line with its T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda, is addressing the challenge decisively.”
The Commissioner affirmed that the resolve to strengthen security has reinvigorated the government’s commitment to instilling sanity in the operation of ‘Okada’ and ‘Keke’ business.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has cut import levies on new and used vehicles by as much as 10 per cent in a move aimed at reducing the cost of vehicle importation, even as it commenced the implementation of a new Green Tax surcharge.
According to an update issued by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, the import levy on new vehicles has been reduced from 20 per cent to 10 per cent, while the levy on used vehicles has been slashed from 15 per cent to five per cent under the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures, which took effect on July 1, 2026.
The customs said the policy is designed to ease the cost of vehicle imports while advancing the government’s environmental sustainability objectives through the newly introduced Green Tax.
The implementation also reduces the overall import duty on fully built passenger vehicles from 70 per cent to 40 per cent.
As part of the Green Tax framework, a new environmental surcharge of between two per cent and four per cent will apply to petrol-powered vehicles with engine capacities exceeding 2,000cc. However, mass transit buses, electric vehicles, and passenger cars with engines below 2,000cc are exempt from the surcharge.
Beyond the automobile sector, the fiscal measures also lower import duties on several essential goods. The duty on imported rice has been reduced from 70 per cent to 47.5 per cent, while crude palm oil now attracts a 28.75 per cent duty.
In addition, import duties on agricultural and manufacturing machinery have been completely removed to support local production, while Waste PET has been added to the export prohibition list to encourage domestic recycling.
By Dipo Olowookere
Plans are underway to carry out a comprehensive data capture and registration exercise of all commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators within Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA.
This move, according to the council chairman, Mr Lukmon Agbaje, is part of proactive measures to strengthen the security of lives and property across the Local Council Development Area (LCDA). The exercise, he said, would be executed in partnership with security agencies and transport unions.
On Tuesday, the council chief convened a high-level security meeting with leaders of commercial transport unions and key security stakeholders operating within the area.
Mr Agbaje expressed concern over the increasing influx of commercial motorcycle (Okada) and tricycle (Keke) operators into the LCDA without proper documentation or profiling.
According to him, the absence of reliable records poses significant security challenges and could provide opportunities for criminal elements to infiltrate communities under the guise of commercial transportation.
He stressed that security is best achieved through preventive measures, noting that effective profiling and documentation remain essential tools in safeguarding residents and protecting the council from emerging security threats.
Mr Agbaje disclosed that under the new security framework, all Okada and Keke parks and operational locations across the LCDA would be officially documented, adding that every duly verified operator would receive an official identification jacket bearing a unique coded number to facilitate easy identification and monitoring.
He also said a mandatory guarantor system will be introduced to strengthen accountability, ensuring that every registered rider has a verifiable guarantor who can be contacted whenever necessary.
The chairman noted that these measures are designed not only to improve security coordination but also to protect law-abiding commercial operators and discourage criminal activities within the council.
Leaders of the various transport unions welcomed the initiative, noting that proper documentation will distinguish genuine operators from criminal elements, enhance public confidence, and promote a safer working environment for commercial transporters.
Also, the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of Ayobo and Ipaja Commands commended the initiative, describing it as a timely and commendable step towards strengthening community policing. They reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to working closely with the council to ensure full compliance and sustain peace and public order.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A new in-app audio recording feature to enhance safety, promote respectful interactions, and support fair resolution of disputes between drivers and passengers during rides has been introduced by inDrive.
A statement from the global mobility and urban services platform disclosed that the feature can be activated manually by either the driver or passenger at any point during a trip, providing an additional layer of protection and confidence for both parties.
It complements inDrive’s existing suite of safety tools, including in-trip monitoring, ride-sharing capabilities, and 24/7 customer support. Integrated into the app’s Safety Centre.
The audio recording feature, which is already available in the app, helps address situations where evidence is limited, providing an objective record that enables inDrive’s support team to investigate complaints and resolve disputes fairly.
It also promotes responsible behaviour throughout the ride. Designed with privacy and data security in mind, recordings remain securely stored and are only accessed with a user’s consent as part of an official complaint investigation.
The audio recording feature reflects inDrive’s broader mission of challenging injustice by creating a fairer and more transparent experience for everyone using the platform.
According to the Country Manager for inDrive Nigeria, Mr Timothy Oladimeji, while the vast majority of rides are completed without incident, there are occasional situations where misunderstandings arise, and evidence is limited, making it difficult to determine what transpired.
He added that by providing an additional source of information, the feature enables support teams to conduct more thorough investigations and reach fairer resolutions, ultimately enhancing confidence in the platform for both drivers and passengers.
“Safety remains at the heart of everything we do at inDrive. We understand that privacy is just as important as safety, which is why this feature was developed with strong safeguards to ensure users remain in control.
“The introduction of the audio recording feature reflects our commitment to continuously improving the experience for both passengers and drivers to foster trust, accountability and mutual respect,” he said.
The new audio recording feature is now available within the Safety Centre section of the inDrive app. Users will receive notifications informing them about the feature and how it can be activated when needed.
